Firefighters in Cape Town on Wednesday fought against a wildfire that erupted at Table Mountain National Park and spread overnight towards the city, according to local authorities.
The wildfire has raged for several days in the Newlands area, located on the high mountainous slopes of the park. However, robust gusting winds propelled it towards Cape Town’s central business district overnight, fire and park officials reported.
Edward Bosch, a spokesperson for the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, stated that the extent of the fire and any possible property damage is still under assessment, describing the blaze as “extensive.” He mentioned that there was no threat to the downtown area as of Wednesday morning, but cautioned that the situation could change depending on the wind and other factors throughout the day.
Trails in Table Mountain National Park, a popular hiking destination for residents and tourists, were closed after the fire began earlier in the week. As of Monday, the fire had already consumed at least 148 acres of land, according to the body responsible for managing the national park. They expressed concern about “the continued presence of hikers in areas that have been closed off.”
Additionally, a second fire was burning in the Red Hill region of the park on Wednesday morning. Mr. Bosch confirmed that no evacuations had been issued. Two helicopters have been engaged in water-bombing the fire since sunrise, and a third helicopter is en route from the nearby town of Stellenbosch.
If favorable conditions are met today, Mr. Bosch believes the fire should be brought under control. Park officials informed that over 80 firefighters from various agencies have been deployed to combat the fire. The operators of a cable car running from Table Mountain to the central district announced its closure until further notice due to the smoke from the wildfires.
In recent years, several major mountain fires have occurred in the Western Cape province. Residents of Cape Town, residing close to the mountain’s foothills, are particularly concerned. Ecologists have urged national park officials to conduct more prescribed burnings of vegetation to prevent uncontrollable wildfires.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/africa/cape-town-wildfire-table-mountain.html
